THE POWER OF NUN | Religious freedom being debated with the intention of creating further legislation

Without a doubt, this is a fundamental issue in the lives of many people.

Most democracies respect the rights of their constituents to believe and to practice the religious affiliation of their choice and heritage.

Faith is a gift. It is not something to be bartered or traded with. It is something to be nurtured and developed in a wholistic manner in a safe and sincere environment.

All Christian Churches hold and respect the Bible as the foundation of their practices.

Sadly, there are times when this is not read with intelligence and understanding and strange beliefs become reality.

The Koran is the keystone of our Muslim brethren's religion, and it too is often misquoted or misunderstood in today's world.

Some of the most disastrous and horrible persecutions throughout history have been carried out in the name of religion.

Notably, the effort to exterminate the entire Jewish population in Nazi Germany.

This was genocide based on erroneous beliefs.

We live in a democracy.

We have certain rights, including freedom of speech, the ability to make and take decisions affecting our lives and families, education at all levels, employment opportunities and to practice our religious beliefs without denigration or penalty.

We wouldn't need more legislation if the two commandments Jesus taught were listened to and obeyed.

Yes - they both talk about love - Matthew's Gospel Chapter 22, describes a very telling little episode of an exchange that took place on this topic between the Pharisees and Jesus.

The Pharisees at that time were overly devoted to keeping the Law, as in the Ten Commandments, and the multitude of other "Laws" and rules that had been developed over the years, and they perceived Jesus as teaching and preaching differently.

Matthew says "they put a question to Jesus to disconcert him". Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?

They asked. Jesus' reply was not what they expected.

He simply said "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind.

This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second resembles it: you must love your neighbour as yourself.

On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets also."

This little exchange took place two thousand years ago, but it certainly hasn't gone out of date.

A little bit further on in Matthew's Gospel, he quotes Jesus as chiding the Pharisees for "straining out gnats and swallowing camels", while neglecting justice, mercy and good faith.

If we, and our elected Governments took this to heart, there would be less need for further legislation especially in matters of religious faith and practice.

Whatever religion, or creed or denomination we subscribe to, the onus is on each of us to carry it out in deed and in truth.

It's no good saying one thing and doing the opposite. We need, as the saying goes - to put our money where our mouth is!